The Duke de Montmorency

Despite being in the centre of Paris, this apartment in Le Marais has a lot of rustic energy. It starts before you even go through the front door, which sits at the end of a paved and tree-lined courtyard. As well as being rather pretty, this off-street entrance means that it's much quieter than you would imagine given the location. Inside, there's an abundance of exposed stonework, as well as rugged sinks carved out of rocks and mirror frames made out of natural material. That being said, there are plenty of modern additions that act as a reminder you're in one of the most stylish cities in the world. The glass dining table is positively chic, as is the industrial light fitting above it. If this home gets you in the mood for more appreciation of fine artistry, Centre Pompidou is five minutes' walk down the road, while Musée National Picasso-Paris takes just over ten to reach.

Home truths:
*It's possible to go from the street to inside the home without encountering any stairs, but there's no elevator inside to get to the first floor
*The air conditioning in this home is portable and not integrated
*This home has no car parking space, although Marcel and Rambuteau metro stations can both be reached in five minutes on foot